spirit teams

The SMU cheer squad had plenty to cheer about after winning first place at the NCA Collegiate National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida – the first time the team has captured the title. The 20-member team competed against 17 other teams in the Intermediate Small Coed Division in the two-day April event.

“Last year we placed second by .08, so this team was laser-focused on winning,” said SMU cheer and pom coach Tiffany Fettinger. “The students performed a perfect routine at finals. I am so proud of them.”

Qualifying for the competition began during cheerleading camp at SMU in summer 2015 when the team was offered the highest bid to the championship after its performance. In the time between qualifying for the competition and winning the championship, the SMU cheer squad supported SMU football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as appearing at numerous other SMU events.

Deanie Kepler, Student Life, received the Susan E. Brown Award at the Administrators Promoting Parent Involvement Conference in Boston in March 2008. The award honors her “outstanding contribution to programs and services for parent and families of college and university students.”

The SMU pom team took first place in the open dance division for the second time in three years at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. SMU’s cheerleaders captured second place in the Small Co-Ed Division I category. Read more.